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The fugitive diamantaire has told a court in Antigua that use of discreationary powers in extraditing him to India will be inconsistent with democratic framework of the country

Fugitive diamantaire and one of the prime accused in Rs 13600 crore Punjab National Bank scam Mehul Choksi blocked another move of the Indian Government to extradite him from Antigua. Sources within the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said that Choksi moved High Court of Antigua and Barbuda objecting to the country's prime minister's discretionary powers to extradite him. India has requested Antigua and Barbuda to extradite Mehul Choksi.

Choksi has claimed that Antiguan PM's discreationary powers are limited and if they are used to extradite him to India, it will be contradictory to Caribbean country's democratic framework.

Mehul Choksi became a citizen of Antigua by way of investment in January 2018. He had applied for the citizenship in November 2017, two months earlier than when the case was lodged against him and Nirav Modi. Choksi filed an appeal

Choksi stated in his affidavit with the Antiguan High Court that the government had no right to extradite him as he had legally fulfilled all conditions for citizenship.